Waggle
A term for a wagging or swaying motion, often used for dogs’ tails.
Wall Eye
Cloudy eyes, common in some dog breeds.
Warble
Bird vocalization or botfly larvae infection in animals.
Warrens
Underground tunnels where rabbits live and breed.
Water Dog
The Portuguese Water Dog is bred for water work.
Wattle
Fleshy growths on birds' necks can be observed.
Wattle and Daub
"Wattle" refers to a building method where skin folds in certain animals.
Weanling
A young animal that has recently been weaned from its mother.
Weasel Cat
A term for sleek, confident cat breeds.
Wet Dog Shake
The rapid shaking motion dogs use to remove water from their fur.
Wheaten Coat
A light tan coat color in some dog breeds, like the Wheaten Terrier.
Whelp
A term for newborn puppies or the act of giving birth in dogs.
Whelping Box
A safe space for a mother dog to give birth and care for puppies.
Whelping Signs
The physical indicators that a pregnant dog is about to give birth.
Whinny
The high-pitched sound a horse makes (similar to a neigh).
Whip Tail
A long tail shape in Whippets and Greyhounds.
Whippet
A sighthound breed is known for its speed and agility.
Whisker Pad
The area on a cat or dog’s muzzle where whiskers are rooted.
Whistle Training
Using a high-pitched whistle to train dogs or birds.
White Markings
White fur patterns define breed standards.
Whorl
Circular fur patterns are found on animals like dogs, cats, and horses.
Windhounds
Another term for sighthounds refers to their speed and agility.
Wing Clipping
A process is done to limit a pet bird’s ability to fly for safety.
Winter Nose
A dog’s nose may lose pigment in winter, known as "snow nose.”
Withers
The highest point of an animal’s shoulders is used for measurements.
Wolfdog
A hybrid breed between a domestic dog and a wolf.
Wood Cocking
A term used in falconry when a bird of prey hunts woodcocks.
Wool Coat
Poodles and Bichon Frises have dense, curly coats.
Woolly Monkey
A type of primate sometimes kept in exotic pet collections.
Wry Tail
A genetic condition in dogs and cats where the tail twists abnormally.